MailtoPst
FR
PST Gmail

Convert PST to Gmail
Online Tool

Import Outlook PST files to Gmail. Convert PST to MBOX or EML, then import via Google Workspace migration tools or IMAP sync. Complete guide.

Convert now → See how it works
🛡️ GDPR Compliant 🔒 TLS 1.3 Encryption 🇪🇺 Hosted in EU 🇫🇷 Built in France 🗑️ Auto-delete 24h

What is a PST file?

PST (Personal Storage Table) is Microsoft Outlook's proprietary file format for storing email messages, calendar entries, contacts, and tasks locally. When users switch from Outlook to Gmail, PST files contain the entire email history that needs to be migrated.

PST files typically contain:
- Years of email correspondence — organized in folders and subfolders
- File attachments — documents, images, and other files embedded in emails
- Metadata — timestamps, sender/recipient information, read status, and flags
- Calendar and contacts — depending on how the PST was created

Since Gmail does not natively understand the PST format, a conversion step is required before the emails can be imported. The most common approach is to convert PST to MBOX (which Gmail uses internally via Google Takeout) or to EML (individual email files).

What is a Gmail file?

Gmail is Google's cloud-based email service, used by over 1.8 billion people and countless businesses through Google Workspace (formerly G Suite). Gmail stores emails in the cloud with powerful search, labels instead of folders, and 15 GB of free storage (or more with Google Workspace plans).

When migrating to Gmail, your imported emails become fully searchable and accessible from:
- Gmail web interface — accessible from any browser at gmail.com
- Gmail mobile apps — native iOS and Android applications
- Third-party clients — any email app supporting IMAP or POP3
- Google Workspace admin tools — for organization-wide management

Gmail uses labels and archive functionality rather than traditional folders. During import, your PST folder structure can be mapped to Gmail labels to preserve organization.

Why convert PST to Gmail?

Migrating from Outlook PST to Gmail is driven by several compelling reasons:

1. Moving to Google Workspace
Organizations switching from Microsoft Exchange to Google Workspace need to migrate all employee email archives stored in PST files. This is often the largest data migration task in the transition.

2. Personal email consolidation
Users who previously used Outlook for personal or work email often want to consolidate everything into their Gmail account for unified access and powerful search capabilities.

3. Cross-platform freedom
PST files lock you into the Windows/Outlook ecosystem. Gmail works on every device and operating system without any desktop software required.

4. Cost reduction
Eliminating the need for Outlook licenses and local email storage reduces IT costs. Gmail's cloud storage and search capabilities replace the need for local PST archives.

5. Collaboration features
Google Workspace offers integrated collaboration through Docs, Sheets, Meet, and Chat — all connected to your Gmail mailbox.

PST vs Gmail — Key Differences

Feature PST Gmail
Provider Microsoft (Outlook) Google (Gmail)
Storage type Local file on disk Cloud-hosted
Organization Folders and subfolders Labels (multi-label per email)
Search Outlook local index Google Search (instant, AI-powered)
Platform Windows (primarily) Any device, any browser
Free storage N/A (local file) 15 GB (shared with Drive)

3 methods to convert PST to Gmail

Method 1: Google Workspace Migration Tool (admin)

Google provides a data migration tool in the Google Workspace admin console that can import PST files directly. This requires a Google Workspace subscription and admin access.

Pros

  • ✓ Direct PST import supported
  • ✓ Official Google tool
  • ✓ Handles bulk migration

Cons

  • ✗ Requires Google Workspace (paid)
  • ✗ Admin access needed
  • ✗ Not available for free Gmail accounts
  • ✗ Can be slow for large datasets

Method 2: Convert PST to MBOX with MailtoPst, then import

Convert your PST file to MBOX format using MailtoPst, then import the MBOX into Gmail using an IMAP client like Thunderbird. Configure Thunderbird with your Gmail account, then drag emails from the local MBOX folders into your Gmail folders.

Pros

  • ✓ Works with free Gmail accounts
  • ✓ No admin access needed
  • ✓ MailtoPst works on any OS
  • ✓ Preview and filter emails before import

Cons

  • ✗ Two-step process
  • ✗ Requires Thunderbird as intermediary
  • ✗ IMAP sync can be slow for large volumes
Recommended

Method 3: Convert PST to EML, then upload via IMAP

Use MailtoPst to convert PST to individual EML files. Then use an IMAP email client connected to Gmail to import the EML files. This gives you maximum control over which emails to import.

Pros

  • ✓ Maximum control over selection
  • ✓ Works with any IMAP client
  • ✓ No admin access needed
  • ✓ GDPR compliant conversion

Cons

  • ✗ Multiple steps involved
  • ✗ Slower for thousands of emails
  • ✗ Requires IMAP client setup
Try MailtoPst →

Step by step

How to convert PST to Gmail with MailtoPst

01

Upload your PST file

Drag & drop or click to upload your .pst file. Files up to 51 GB supported with resumable upload.

02

Choose Gmail as output

Select Gmail from the format dropdown. MailtoPst auto-detects the best conversion settings.

03

Download your Gmail file

Conversion takes seconds. Download your .gmail file or receive it by email.

Convert your PST to Gmail now →

100 MB free credit. No credit card required.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import PST directly into Gmail?

Not directly for free Gmail accounts. Google Workspace admins can use the built-in migration tool to import PST files. For personal Gmail, you need to convert the PST to MBOX or EML first using MailtoPst, then import via an IMAP client like Thunderbird.

Will my Outlook folders become Gmail labels?

Yes. When importing via IMAP, your Outlook folder structure is mapped to Gmail labels. Each folder becomes a label, and subfolders become nested labels. The hierarchical organization of your emails is preserved.

How long does it take to migrate PST to Gmail?

The conversion with MailtoPst typically takes minutes. The import into Gmail via IMAP depends on the volume: expect 1-2 GB per hour through Thunderbird. A 10 GB archive may take a full day. The Google Workspace migration tool is faster for bulk imports.

Will attachments be preserved during PST to Gmail migration?

Yes. MailtoPst preserves all email attachments during conversion. When imported into Gmail, attachments appear normally and are searchable. Note that Gmail has a 25 MB per-message attachment limit — emails with larger attachments will still import but may be handled differently.

Can I migrate PST to Gmail from a Mac?

Yes. MailtoPst is a web-based tool that works from any browser on any operating system. Convert your PST to MBOX or EML on MailtoPst, then use Thunderbird for Mac (free) to import the converted emails into your Gmail account via IMAP.

Related conversions

EML → MBOX MBOX → PST OST → Gmail PST → EML PST → MBOX
See all 30 conversion paths →

Ready to convert your emails?

First conversion free. No credit card required.

Start converting → See pricing